Meet Our New Chief Strategist in the Office of the CEO

We are pleased to introduce Dr Ndivhuwo Luruli, our newly appointed Chief Strategist in the Office of the CEO.

Prior to joining the National Research Foundation, Dr Luruli was the Executive Director of Research Development and Support at the University of Johannesburg (UJ) in South Africa. In this leadership role, she was responsible for the university’s research initiatives, driving its commitment to advancing research, innovation, and technological development. Her responsibilities included the promotion of cutting-edge research, fostering interdisciplinary collaborations, and the establishment of partnerships with industry stakeholders and other academic institutions. Under her leadership, UJ has strengthened its reputation as a prominent research institution in South Africa and globally. She has played a vital role in the facilitation of high-impact research that addresses critical societal challenges and driving the University’s research strategy.

Dr Luruli holds a PhD in Science and Technology Studies from the Centre for Research on Evaluation, Science and Technology (CREST), as well as an MSc (cum laude) in Conservation Ecology, both from Stellenbosch University. Her professional career in Research Management and Administration, in fact, started at the NRF more than 17 years ago, and since then, she has worked in senior positions at institutions such as the National Institute for the Humanities and Social Sciences (NIHSS), and the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET). She has also worked as a Consultant in Research Administration for a private university in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. In these roles, she has remained committed to the advancement of innovation in higher education, technological development, and societal impact. Dr Luruli is passionate about creating an inclusive and diverse research environment that supports emerging scholars. Her leadership emphasises mentoring, capacity building, and enabling early-career researchers to reach their full potential. She actively cultivates collaborations with local and international research organisations, government agencies, and the private sector. These partnerships are essential for advancing large-scale research projects and securing funding for ongoing innovation efforts.